Our common purpose is the development of women leaders who commit themselves to work for change in their communities and beyond.
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Imagine a world in which justice, peace, health, human dignity, freedom and care for the environment prevail. Imagine a global network of women of all ages who are leading people, government agencies, private businesses, schools, and community-based organisations to create and sustain this vision. Imagine young women in the forefront as leaders. This is the vision of the World YWCA.
- Dr Musimbi Kanyoro, Ex- General Secretary, World YWCA
Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, World YWCA General Secretary
Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, from Zimbabwe, joined the World YWCA in 2007. She has over 10 years of experience with the United Nations, where she served as Regional Director for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) in Eastern and Horn Africa covering 13 countries. She had previously worked as a human rights officer with UNICEF in Liberia and Zimbabwe. Gumbonzvanda also served as interim coordinator for the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association during its formative stage and in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in Zimbabwe as a law officer. For the last twenty year, Gumbonzvanda has been working on issues of women and children’s human rights, with a special focus on crisis countries. Active in the women’s movement, Gumbonzvanda has focused on issues of violence against women, peace with justice, property rights and HIV and AIDS. Gumbonzvanda is a trained human rights lawyer with extensive experience in conflict resolution and mediation.
Susan Brennan, World YWCA President
Susan began her life in the YWCA as a young woman leader on the board of her local association in Melbourne, Australia. During her time on her local board, the YWCA completed the renovation of its hotel, established and resourced a dedicated program for young women run by young women and witnessed a significant period of change in the culture, programmes and advocacy of her association.